I extensively use my FS102 with barlow and binoviewer and would like to mount that on a new Tak mount. I am drawn to the 200 for stability reasons but am afraid it will be on the heavy side for grab-n-go around the back yard. I like the EM11/10 for size and weight but am not sure if it will carry my FS102 stable enough for high power binoviewing (130x +).

What is your experience with these mounts in combination with a 4" Tak?

Thanks and CS,

Erik

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I never used an EM10/11 but I did own the 200 and would not consider that a grab and go mount. I think the 200 falls closer to a Losmandy G11 class of mount. I have a Tak 120 and for visual it rides really well (rock steady actually) on a Celestron CG5. So a CG5 would handle the Tak 102 with no problem – especially for just visual – and would cost less.

Yeah the EM200 is not really grab n go Erik, I can hustle it across the patio on the Tak tripod in one piece without the scope attached but that's about it. It easily carries my FS152 for visual so you can go smaller. I'd take a look at a Losmandy GM8 for your FS102 you gotta love the slip clutches, makes it a bit easier to use than the Tak mount.

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I had an FS-102, and still have and EM200. The EM200 is, as others have described, more in the G11 class weight and sturdiness-wise.

I had a Meade LXD-55 mount purchased on clearance, and it carried that FS-102 very well for visual. No binoviewers, so I'm not sure if that can change things significantly. However, my most memorable visual experience with the FS-102 happened on the LXD-55: I watched a moon emerge from Jupiter's shadow. I still remember my thought patterns: I was looking at Jupiter, then started thinking "What is that off to the side?" Something was just visible via averted vision. After verifying the object was real, I kept checking on it and soon saw that it was visible by direct vision! A marvelous display of both the FS102's visual performance and its stability on the LXD-55. Unfortunately, I don't recall the magnification I was using at the time.

I use a 4" f/8 TMB refractor on my EM-10. Tube, finder, rings, dovetail, Maxbright diagonal and a desiccant cap weighs 19 lbs, + 2 lbs for the Casady saddle. Add another 1-2 lbs for eyepieces and the scope load could reach 23 lbs. The EM-10 handles it well, but I feel it is under mounted, and the mount is really intended for lighter scopes like the FS-78. I eventually would like to put the scope on a larger mount.

But as I said, the EM-10 handles it well. Damping time from a tap near the eyepiece is 1-2 seconds, as I recall. My only issue is image movement when I focus, but I suspect my focuser needs lubing and is causing that.

In my experience the EM10 was rock solid with a FS-102. Nevertheless, if there were any concern, recall that the capacity for the EM11 is greater than the EM10. I really don't see any reason to go to the EM200 for visual use, even with binoviewing.